Who said "He digs his well with a needle."?

Armenian proverb. Source: Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889).

What is the original wording?

He digs his well with a needle (Bayan, 1889). Translated by Bayan, 1889.

Is "He digs his well with a needle." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

He digs his well with a needle.

Armenian proverb, Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889)

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What it means

Some people take on a task with a tool far too small for it and keep going anyway. The saying can mean stubborn patience or a slow, wasteful method. Know which one you are, and if it is the second, find a shovel.

The source

"He digs his well with a needle." This Armenian proverb is recorded in Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889). Translated by Bayan, 1889.

"He digs his well with a needle."

Bayan, 1889, Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889). Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "He digs his well with a needle." mean?: Some people take on a task with a tool far too small for it and keep going anyway. The saying can mean stubborn patience or a slow, wasteful method. Know which one you are, and if it is the second, find a shovel.
Who said "He digs his well with a needle."?: Armenian proverb. Source: Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889).
What is the original wording?: He digs his well with a needle (Bayan, 1889). Translated by Bayan, 1889.
Is "He digs his well with a needle." on a shirt?: Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"He digs his well with a needle." (Armenian proverb, Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889), trans. Bayan, 1889). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/he-digs-his-well-with-a-needle